Mandibular reposition device and coupling therefor

Abstract

An adjustable mandibular repositioning appliance including first and second connecting members and a link arm which is pivotable about an axis wherein protrusive positioning of the mandible is provided by relative positioning of the link arm along aid axis, to kits and couplings for making a readily adjustable mandibular appliance, to a system for providing a readily adjustable mandibular repositioning appliance and methods of use.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of medical devices, particularly dental devices.[0002]In one form, the invention relates to mandibular repositioning devices and couplings for mandibular repositioning devices and the like.[0003]It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to a mandibular repositioning device or mandibular advance splint that is useful for the treatment of snoring and / or obstructive sleep apnoea, however it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that application only.BACKGROUND ART[0004]Sleep apnoea (or more correctly obstructive sleep apnoea) is a condition that affects about 5% of adults. Sleep apnoea can occur when the airway in the throat that leads from the nose and mouth to the lungs collapses when asleep and muscles are relaxed. If the collapse is severe enough it causes an apnoea (absence of breath). If it is a partial collapse it usually causes snoring. A person with sev...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]In another aspect the present invention provides system for providing a readily adjustable mandibular repositioning appliance, said system including:upper and lower dental splints;a first connecting member attachable to one of said splints having a forward facing axis for protrusive positioning of the mandible:a second connecting member attachable to the other of said splints;wherein said members are attachable to lateral legs of said splints such that the forward facing axis is substantially aligned with either side of the mid-sagittal plane in a patient; anda series of interchangeable link arms, each of said arms mountable on the first connecting member for pivotal movement about said axis such that the arm extends transverse to said axis and is engageable with said second connecting member in a slidable coupling that allows in use a range of relative movement in said transverse dimension;wherein said link arms are positionable at varying points along the axis to provide in use variable protrusion of the mandible and / or said link arms are of varying length to provide in use variable opening and closing movement of the mandible.

[0019]a link arm coupled to the pivot mount for pivotal movement about said axis, the link arm extending transverse to said axis to engage with said fixed mount in a slideable coupling that allows a range of relative movement in said transverse dimension.

[0023]a link arm coupled to the first connecting member for pivotal movement about a generally forward facing axis with respect to the appliance when in use, the link arm extending transverse to said axis to engage with said second connecting member in a slideable coupling that allows a range of relative movement in said transverse dimension.

[0026]a first connecting member supporting an elongate position adjustment member having an external screw thread formation such that the position adjustment member is able to freely rotate about its elongate axis;

[0028]a coupling link member having a through-hole with an internal screw thread formation to engage with the positioning adjustment member, and a coupling bar with a slot formation extending transverse to the axis of the through-hole for engagement with the projecting flange of the second connecting member wherein said first and second connecting members are suitable for lateral attachment to a splint to provide forward movement of a patient's mandible in use.

Problems solved by technology

If it is a partial collapse it usually causes snoring.

A person with severe sleep apnoea may have hundreds of these events each night which results in lack of oxygen to the body's vital organs and disrupted sleep.

Long term consequences are high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke and, of course, sleepiness.

Unfortunately a number of people with sleep apnoea do not tolerate CPAP and turn to other treatments such as surgery to the airway or an oral appliance.

However, when fastened the user is not permitted any substantial movement of the jaw, which can be disconcerting, uncomfortable and inconvenient for the user.

However, once the mouth begins to open the effective mandibular repositioning is lost, and furthermore the device is not readily adjustable and / or does not provide an adequate range of adjustment.

This form of device also does not permit the user any substantial degree of lateral jaw movement.

The flanges are to some extent able to move in the pockets allowing some flexibility however the device includes a number of small fiddly parts making manufacture and adjustment of the device complex and relatively difficult.

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